The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-05
SOUTHERN PRISON REPORT.
The Statement Showing the Partial EX-
tent IF Towards Defalcati0n.
C0rruptionin Financial Affairs Supplemented
BY the Horrors of Inhuman Punishment
Victims Of the Cat and Crazy House.

just before the late adjournment Of the
House yesterday afternoon, the prison com
Haittce submitted its printed report and evil
dence regarding the investigation of affairs at
the Jeffersonville penitentiary The matter IS
comprised in loo pages, the report proper be-
Ing limited TO the first sixteen, while the re-
mainder of the pamphlet is given entirely to
the evidence of officers guards and others at
the prison. First referring to the services OF
J. W. Coons, the expert accountant employed
by the committee, the report shows that the
books are kept and have been for years, in
manner utterly unlike those of an ordinary
business establishment. There is no general
ledger, journal or blotter showing the receipts
and disbursements. There is no system what
ever in the manner of book keeping 1t does
not even show in any one account the money
received from the State treasury for the main
tenance OF said institution; nor are separate &C.
counts kept with the contractors of the convict
labor. from which the prison derives its earn
ings. and, in order to ascertain the condition of
these accounts, it becomes necessary to 60 back
to previous months book named Time
Book and add the several amounts there
charged, and, in many instances, marked partly
paid
A. J. Howard warden testified under oath:
AS warden Of the southern State prison of Indiana,
hrn willing to and do admit that the books of the
southern State prison show creator amount due the
than am able or willing to pay, believing as do
that the books incorrect and that entitled to
credits which the books do not show
The books were under his control. and NJ. l.
Huette, clerk of the prison, was prohibited from
S1aking entries on the cash-book save as
permitted and directed to do so by the warden
ID person. 1t is also in evidence that entries in
aaid cash book were made of bills as paid, when
10 fact they were not paid, such entries being
made to exhibit to the directors, and that the
clerk. in order to know the true financial status
OF the institution. kept private ledger for him
SELF
The examination, limited by the shortness of
sme, disclosed the following:
Receipts.
From Treasurer of State on account of set
1886. not accounted for. - So ooo %
syundry recepts for November ...... 2745 p
Sundry receipts for December. Il, 1910. &c
Eupdry receipts for January, 1SS7.-.... 2,704.2
Sundry receipts fractional month Febru
AIRY 10th included Observation-Disclosures. 2,739.37
Cash in in visitors fund 1857 %
Sash in convicts' saving fund. ..-...... 3,645.2l
Cash ia brick-yard fund --.---......-.- 6,OO0.O t
Cash ia coniscaton fund ..-........ 45.6
Pension money of convict Sanders. 10000
Total. $50, TAG. o:
Disbursements.
Sundry accounts as per cash book, Noyem-
Der Observation-Disclosures. S., 967. As
Sundry accounts as per cash book De-
cember .-...-....-............-. 6,370.2e
-16. 1887. ....................... 3,ss73l
Excess payments Of vouchers during JAN
uary. 40. Sc
Balance to be accounted for. .......-.. OO35. 81
Total. $36, TAO OF